Category: Housing Disrepair Claims

When we think about Housing Disrepair Claims, or any type of personal injury claims in general, the first thing we consider is how long the case will take. It’s understandable that you would want as little stress as possible. That’s why you may feel like a legal case may be too big to undertake during the pandemic. Even with the current lockdown easing, we know that you may feel as if you simply don’t have the time or energy to move forward with a claim.

That’s why it’s crucial that you have an experienced law firm on your side to ensure that your case is in good hands. This is where Gowing Law Solicitors can step in to help. Not only can we ensure that your case is handled in a timely manner, but our specialists will always be there to provide you with advice and consultations to make sure you know what you are getting into, as well as how much you could be owed as compensation.

Gowing Law Solicitors will make sure that you are able to live comfortably in your rented property. All you need to do is get in contact with us to ensure that you get the help that you need. Call us today on 0800 041 8350 or click the link below to learn more:

What counts as a Housing Disrepair?

Before we jump into timescales of different cases, it’s crucial to understand what areas/items on your property could easily get damaged due to natural wear and tear over the years. As the tenant of a council home or rented property from the housing association, it is your responsibility to keep your home in a liveable condition. That includes looking after any essential equipment and keeping the property clean and tidy. If the property ends up in disarray due to your own negligence then your landlord may ask you to pay for the repairs. However, with that said, your landlord is responsible for the majority of your rented property. This includes:

The property is legally owned by your landlord. That means that if there are issues with the accommodation it is their duty to fix it. They owe you a duty of care, therefore they are responsible for fixing any issues/damages that could put you at risk of injury or inconvenience. If they fail to do this then they could be guilty of negligence. This is when you need to start considering making a Housing Disrepair Claim to hold them responsible for the damages in their property.

How could my landlord be guilty of negligence?

Now that we have explained the extent of your landlord’s responsibilities, as well as their duty of care towards you, you have to understand that if something breaks in your home, your landlord will need to assess the damages as quickly as possible. They need to ensure that your house is habitable for you and your family. If they fail to provide a safe property or refuse to help finance any repairs, they are not adhering to their duty of care. Instead, they are acting negligently. Take a look at the case study below to get an example of how a landlord could act negligently:

As John’s requests for help were ignored by his landlord, it was clear that the landlord had no interest in helping sort out the disrepairs. That’s why it was crucial for John to start the process for making a Housing Disrepair Claim. Some additional examples of negligence could include:

• Demanding that you pay for the disrepairs
• Refusing to correspond with you about the damages
• Cheaply fixing the disrepairs and causing additional damage
• Leaving the disrepair for months to get worse

When your house falls into disrepair, it’s crucial that you speak to your landlord as quickly as possible. That way you can get your disrepairs sorted. You will not be evicted for making a Housing Disrepair Claim, if it comes to that. The only way your landlord could make a counterclaim is if you are not paying your rent. That’s why you should not be scared of speaking to your landlord about the disrepairs. You deserve to live comfortably and not to suffer from their negligence.

What should you do if your home suffers from disrepairs?

If your council home is suffering from damages, the first thing you should do is alert your landlord about them. They need to be the ones to fix the damages and get the best repair people in to do the job. You should contact your landlord by electronic correspondence or a phone call as well as through writing. This will serve as evidence when it comes to any future claims that you try to make. Once you have contacted your landlord, document the disrepairs through photographs, videos and witness statements. You can also keep a diary about the disrepairs. That way you won’t forget any small details about the disrepairs.

Your landlord should then come over to inspect the damages or send someone over to look at them. If they do not want to come over due to the pandemic, they may simply ask for photographs of the disrepairs at all angles. They will then send over a repair team to get the damages sorted quickly. If they fail to help you with the disrepairs, it is time to make a Housing Disrepair Claim.

Here are the steps to sorting out housing disrepairs in an easily digestible format:

How could I be eligible for Housing Disrepair Compensation?

To be eligible for a Housing Disrepair Claim, your damages need to fall into at least one of three categories. These categories are:

Of course, all of these different categories are interchangeable. For instance, if your house suffered from a mould and damp issue, it may make your daily life more difficult because you cannot use certain areas of your house. This would mean you are suffering from inconvenience. The mould may have spread to your clothes or belongings, meaning that they are suffering from damages. Also, if you have asthma or a breathing problem, the mould could make this worse and require you to go to hospital for additional treatment. Therefore, you have suffered from a personal injury. Speak to your solicitor about these different types of damages. They can advise you on how you can document your damages and can also get a triage assessor on the case to look over the damages.

This is what you can expect from Gowing Law Solicitors when they help with your case:

How long will it take to make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

If you are going to make a Housing Disrepair Claim, it’s important that you understand how much compensation you are owed, as well as the length of time your case may take. You could be owed between £1,000 – £20,000 as compensation for your damages. However, it entirely depends on the complexity of your case. The same goes for the timeline of your case. For instance, if your landlord refuses to co-operate with you or your solicitor, it may take longer to have your case sorted. The pandemic may also have an effect on the timeline of your case due to the delays in the UK court system.

Try and be patient with your solicitor. They will be available to talk you through your case, but they will require time to sort out the basics of your case before working with your landlord to get the compensation and repairs that you deserve. They will also need time to negotiate your settlement agreement. You will be involved 100% in the case and will be able to tell your solicitor how you want to proceed with your case. You will always be kept updated about any changes that may happen with your case.

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help with your Housing Disrepair Claims

If you are ready to find out more about Housing Disrepair Claims, you should speak to Gowing Law Solicitors! Our specialists are here to provide you with free advice and consultations about your case. When you are happy to work with our law firm, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never need to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case. Therefore, you will always come out on top.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today to get started on your case by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our team members will then be in contact to discuss your claim and answer any additional questions you may have!

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

Make sure to check out Gowing Law’s other blogs to learn more about different types of UK legal claims. This includes Housing Disrepair Claims. Not only do we write about the law, we also write about seasonal events, competitions, updates about our law firm and the occasional giveaway. You can suggest a blog topic to us by writing into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Make sure to also follow our social media pages below to keep up with what our law firm has been up to.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog.

Gowing Law Solicitors are Housing Disrepair Claim experts. We endeavour to provide solid advice, consultations and results to all of our clients around the UK. It can be extremely frustrating to live in a council house, rented property or accommodation from the housing association that is full of disrepairs. It is your landlord’s responsibility to have these disrepairs sorted. If they fail to do this then they could be guilty of neglect. That is when you need to start thinking about making a claim with an experienced law firm.

Here at Gowing Law, we are ready to take on your case and make sure that you get your repairs sorted. Our experienced lawyers can speak to your landlord on your behalf and make sure that any tricky paperwork is completely settled. That way you can feel confident that you will get the compensation you deserve from your Housing Disrepair Claim. We want to help you live in comfort and are ready to do so. All you need to do is get in contact by calling 0800 041 8350 or by clicking on our website below:

What is a Housing Disrepair?

When you rent out any type of property from the housing association or a council house, the first thing you need to understand is that the maintenance of the house is the responsibility of your landlord. That means if anything falls into disrepair, they need to be the ones to fix it. Of course, you do have your own responsibilities and you need to play your part in keeping your house in a habitable state. However, your landlord is responsible for the following external and internal items:

As you can see, a landlord’s responsibilities are mainly focused on areas of the house that tend to be prone to damage through time, age, use and wear. For instance, in a house that is from the 1960’s or 1980’s, they may be on the lookout for asbestos. If Asbestos was discovered in the walls, your landlord would need to help you find suitable lodgings whilst the asbestos was removed. That way you would be put out of harm’s way. For another example of Housing Disrepair, take a look at the gif below for a good case study:

What should I do if my house is suffering from disrepairs?

The first thing you should do is try not to panic. Disrepairs happen all the time to rented properties. Go to your landlord and request their assistance. They are required (even during the lockdown) to help you. You should do this through both written correspondence and either a phone call or email. That way you can have proof that you reached out to try and get assistance. Although you do need to give your landlord enough time to get the repairs fixed, you will be able to tell if they are acting negligent towards you and refuse to get the repairs sorted. Acts of negligence include:

• Ignoring your requests for help
• Repairing the damages themselves through the cheapest means possible
• Trying to fix the problem and making it worse
• Demanding that you pay for the disrepairs

If you find that your landlord is failing to co-operate with you, and the disrepairs end up getting worse, you may end up having to start on a Housing Disrepair Claim. Usually, your eligibility will depend on three categories:

Usually, your damages will fall into more than one category. For instance, your house might suffer from mould and damp. If you have breathing issues then you could suffer from a personal injury if they end up getting worse. The mould may have made a certain room completely uninhabitable, inconveniencing you. If the mould has spread to your clothing or belongings that have fabric on them, you may find that you have experienced damages to items in your possession. This is damage to property. Note all of these damages down and try to collect evidence for them. These will be helpful for your solicitor during your case.

How can Gowing Law Solicitors help with a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Now that you have decided to get started with a Housing Disrepair Claim with Gowing Law Solicitors, the first thing that we will do to help is discuss your claim. It’s important that we know all of the details of your housing disrepair claim, including how long the disrepairs have been happening for. The longer they have been left, the more likely it is that they will have become worse over time. This means that there is more chance that you could be owed a larger amount of compensation for your damages. Once the details have been sorted, your solicitor will contact your landlord on your behalf to begin your claim. During this time, they will also contact a triage assessor to look at your damages for themselves. The chart below details the process moving forward:

During this process, your solicitor will be working hard to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. They will be negotiating a settlement agreement with your landlord and their insurance company. You may choose to be involved in these negotiations. We will continue to work with you until this happens and your home is habitable again.

How much will I be compensated for my losses?

When you make a Housing Disrepair Claim, the amount of compensation that you receive will depend on the extent of the damages in your home. It will also depend on any personal injuries that you receive from living in the rented property. You could be owed anywhere up to £20,000. We recommend speaking to your solicitor. That way you can understand how much you could be owed and how long it will take to receive your payment.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your Housing Disrepair Claim

Now that you are ready to get started on your Housing Disrepair Claim, Gowing Law Solicitors can help you along every step of the way. We offer free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, we can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only have to pay your solicitor if they win your case.

Contact our law firm today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. You can then let our specialists know if you have any additional questions you may have.

Learn more about making a Housing Disrepair Claim

Every week, Gowing Law’s content team upload new blogs to our website. That way you can learn all about different UK legal claims and how you can move forward with your own claim. We also write about seasonal events, updates about our law firm and the occasional competition/giveaway. If you have a topic that you would like to see covered on our blog, feel free to write into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. You can also follow our social media by clicking on the buttons below.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Housing Disrepair Claims are there to protect you if your landlord has refused to help you with the damages within your home. This includes external and internal structures. However, have you ever considered what you will do if the inside of your walls were the actual problem with your home? To be more precise, what would you do if you discovered asbestos inside of your wall? If you are exposed to this type of material, there is a chance that you could develop asbestosis. This could affect you for the rest of your life. That’s why it’s crucial that you hold your landlord responsible for the damages that happen inside your home.

Your landlord owes you a “duty of care.” That means they need to ensure the property does not cause you, or your family, any personal injuries or damages. If it does then you could be owed compensation for your losses.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your Housing Disrepair Claims. If you feel as if you are the victim of your landlord’s negligence, and your house has untreated asbestos within it, it’s crucial that you seek the help of a lawyer. They can help you make your landlord take action to ensure the damages are fixed. That way you will no longer be exposed to dangerous materials. Get started on your claim by calling 0800 041 8350 or click the button below to find out more:

What is Asbestos?

In our video above, you can learn all about the basics of housing disrepair claims. However, what you’re really interested in is Asbestos. Well, Asbestos falls under a type of housing disrepair. It was used in the walls during the 1960’s in order to provide padding. However, back then people did not know that Asbestos could have a serious effect on the residents’ health. Most of the time you would find Asbestos in factories or old warehouses. However, it was also used in older residences. Right now, much council housing property and property from the housing association was created in the 1960’s and 1980’s. That means it is more likely that it is going to contain Asbestos.

Your landlord should issue a thorough inspection of the property to ensure that it is safe for you and your family, as well as any other residents, to live in. If it fails then it may need internal reconstruction. They will need to undertake these steps to ensure they adhere to their own safety code, as well as their “duty of care” towards you. Asbestos can be found as lining within the wall, used to pad it out. However, it can have extremely negative effects on breathing. That is why if it is discovered, your landlord will need to have it removed by specialists.

How could I get hurt from asbestos?

Asbestos is an extremely useful substance, due to the fact that it is made of materials that are soft enough to resist heat, corrosion and electricity. However, this exposure to these substances are what make it so toxic to humans. The particles of Asbestos are extremely strong. That means that if they get trapped within the body, there is no way for them to actually escape. This means there’s a high chance that they could cause the following physical damages:

The real danger of asbestos comes from “friable” dust. Friable means that the asbestos can be very fragile. Ultimately, if it does end up breaking that means the fibres will be released into the air. That means they’re more likely to be inhaled through the nose and mouth. This is why if you end up having repair work on an older house, and a builder drills or disturbs the structure of the house, it is more likely that asbestos will enter the air. If your landlord refuses to help sort out these damages, you should start looking into housing disrepair claims.

What could make it more likely that I develop a personal injury from Asbestos?

If you are suffering from housing disrepairs due to Asbestos, your chance of a personal injury could be heightened by three factors. These are:

• The duration of exposure to the Asbestos
• Your smoking status
• Your age

Unfortunately, for those who are young, it is more likely that they will develop Mesothelioma due to the fact that the fibres can spend longer in the lungs, meaning that there is more chance of damage. The same goes for those who smoke due to the fact that the lung tissue is weakened. It means that it is more likely for tissue tears to occur.

Asbestos can be classified as a housing disrepair if your landlord has refused to help have it removed, or sort out the process to have you put in suitable accommodation whilst the repairs are made. If engineers do need to go over and sort out the Asbestos, you will need to have your belongings moved as well. After all, they may suffer from damages if they are left inside the house. In addition to this, fibres from the asbestos could attach to them and you could unintentionally move them from one place to another.

When you discover asbestos in your home, it’s crucial that you speak to your landlord as quickly as possible. After all, this is a housing disrepair emergency! Your landlord should work with you to find alternative accommodation whilst the repairs in your home are being made. If they fail to do this, they ignore your requests for help, or they ask you to finance the damages, this could be classified as a sign of negligence. This is when you need to start looking into Housing Disrepair Claims.

How could I be eligible for Housing Disrepair Compensation?

If you want to file a Housing Disrepair Claim, your claim has to fall into one of three damage categories. You can fall into more than one, so make sure to alert your solicitor if you believe that you could be owed a large amount of compensation due to your damages. These categories are:

Once you have decided to make a Housing Disrepair Claim, it’s important that you speak to your solicitor about your eligibility. They can make an assessment of your damages and start the compensation process by getting in contact with your landlord. They can also send over a triage assessor to come make a formal assessment of the disrepairs in your house. The assessor will then take you through the following process:

It’s important that you follow this process to ensure that you get the highest amount of compensation possible. The amount of compensation you are owed will depend on the extent of your damages. If you have been a victim of negligence, you could be owed a higher sum than someone who has only experienced a few damages. The amount of time needed to make your claim will also vary, depending on the complexity of your claim and whether or not your landlord is willing to co-operate. Speak with your solicitor to receive personalized advice about how you can move forward with your claim. Housing Disrepair Claims may seem daunting but you will feel more secure having an experienced lawyer on your side.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors about Housing Disrepair Claims

Housing Disrepair Claims are there to protect you if you are a victim of landlord negligence. That’s why it’s crucial that you speak to Gowing Law Solicitors about your claim to find out more how much compensation you could be owed for your damages. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to work with our team of specialists, we will work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top as there will be no hidden fees. Instead, you will only have to pay your solicitor if they win your case for you!

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our solicitors will then be in contact to answer any additional questions you may have. Feel free to contact them at any time.

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we update our blog every week with brand new content. This is usually about legal claims, updates about our law firm, seasonal events and the occasional competition/giveaway. You can send in your suggestions for our blog at any time by emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to write about your questions. Feel free to also follow our social media by clicking on the buttons below.

We look forward to seeing you in our blog.

Housing Disrepair Claims are there to protect you if your house is suffering from damages. These damages are the responsibility of your landlord to fix. After all, it is their council house or property from the housing association. As you are the renter, you have the right to live in your property without there being any disrepairs that could interrupt your general routine or cause damage to you or your belongings. Now that the world has started to open up after the lockdown, your landlord has a responsibility to ensure that your home is good condition. That way you are not put in a dangerous situation that could affect the health of you and any other residents in the building.

It is essential that your landlord understands their responsibilities towards you as their tenant. They have a “duty of care” towards you to ensure that their property does not injure you and remains in a good condition. That way you can feel comfortable and happy in your home. If you feel as if your landlord is guilty of negligence, and ultimately is ignoring the disrepairs in your home, it may be time to make a Housing Disrepair Claim. You can do this by getting in contact with Gowing Law Solicitors by calling 0800 041 8350 or by visiting our Housing Disrepair Claims website below:

What is my landlord responsible for in my house?

When you live in any type of council house or property from the housing association, it’s important to understand that your landlord is responsible for the majority of it. After all, you do not own the property yourself. Instead, you need to understand that your landlord has the contract to your home. That means that they need to adhere to a “duty of care” to ensure its upkeep. You cannot live in a house that is full of disrepairs. This would mean that your landlord is acting negligent. Take a look at the list below to get a better idea of what your landlord could be responsible for inside and outside of your property:

As you can see, your landlord is responsible for a wide range of items both inside and outside of your property. This includes any furniture that is located in the garden, on a balcony or inside the rooms of the house. Keep in mind that you can only make a housing disrepair claim for this type of property if you still live inside the council home. This is due to the fact that you and your landlord are under contract. Your landlord is still bound to help you if there are any type of housing disrepairs that appear in your home. If they refuse to help, or worse ask you to pay for the disrepairs yourself, then this could prove their negligence. This is when you need to start looking into Housing Disrepair Claims.

How could my landlord act negligently?

When you move into any type of council house or property from the housing association, it’s important that it is in a good habitable condition when you move in. If you notice anything that is in need of repair or maintenance, you need to inform your landlord as quickly as possible. This should be through electronic correspondence/phone calls as well as through a written correspondence. Your landlord should be allowed some time to get the repairs assessed and sorted. Keep in mind that this may entail them visiting your home to check out the damages and assess whether or not they need an engineer to fix them. During this time you may need to inform them about any type of damage to your belongings. That way they can be replaced quickly.

Unfortunately, there are times when your landlord may not act in your best interest. Instead of focusing on repairing the damages in your home they may act negligently, and not address your concerns. Landlords may try to fix the damage by the cheapest means possible, and on some occasions this can result in shoddy work that can make problems worse. This could also put you at risk of a personal injury. Worse still, your landlord may try to demand that you pay for the repairs. All of these possibilities are examples of negligence. If you experience any of them, it is time to consider a housing disrepair claim.

Could I be eligible for a Housing Disrepair Claim?

If your landlord has failed to help you in relation to your disrepairs, it’s time to make a Housing Disrepair Claim. The purpose of a housing disrepair claim is to push your landlord into making the necessary repairs, as well as to have them pay compensation for any injuries or damages that have been inflicted upon you or your belongings. There are three categories of damages that your claim could fall into. These include:

It’s important to keep in mind that you could fall into more than one of these categories when it comes to your disrepair. For instance, let’s say that you ended up having a mould problem. The mould could make it impossible for you to visit a certain area of the house, as well as destroy any clothes you keep near it. If you suffer from breathing difficulties, the mould could make them worse. As you can see, this covers all three categories of disrepair. If you think you suffer from different types of housing disrepairs, let your solicitor know as quickly as possible. They can advise you on how you can move forward with your claim, as well as the amount you could be owed from your compensation.

What happens when I start any type of housing disrepair claims?

If you have decided to undertake a Housing Disrepair Claim, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced team of solicitors. Gowing Law Solicitors have specialists who can provide you advice on how to move forward with your claim. The first thing your solicitor will do will ask you about your housing disrepairs in general. This includes how long your landlord has left them for and what actions you have already tried to take. They will also want more details about the property and will then contact a triage assessor to have a look at the damages and make a report. They will provide you with a helpful leaflet to disclose as much information as possible about making a housing disrepair. It will include this helpful chart about what you should expect in the upcoming weeks:

You can ask your solicitor any questions that you may have about your claim. This includes an estimate of how much compensation you could be owed and how long the claim may take. Your solicitor will be working with your landlord on a settlement agreement. That way you can have your compensation and repairs sorted at the same time.

Speak to Gowing Law Solicitors about Housing Disrepair Claims

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we endeavour to help our clients all over the UK to get the repairs needed to live comfortably in their homes. We also want to get them the compensation that they deserve for living so long with so many disrepairs. We can do the same for you! Our specialists can offer you personalized consultations and advice to get you started. If you are happy to work with our team, we can offer you our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay our solicitors if they win your case for you. Therefore, no matter what the outcome, you will always come out on top!

Contact our law firm today! That way you can get started on your Housing Disrepair Claim. Call 0800 0414 8350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or visit our claims checker or LiveChat for quick help!

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

Here at Gowing Law, we update our blog every week with new legal content. Not only do we write about UK law, we also write about updates about our law firm, seasonal events and the occasional competition/giveaway. If you have a question you would like to see explored on our blog, feel free to send your suggestions to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to write about them! You can also follow our social media feeds, including our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, to find out what we have been up to recently.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

No one wants live in a property that is suffering from a housing disrepair. When you notice a disrepair in your home, it’s essential that you seek assistance as quickly as possible. Your landlord is responsible for fixing any damages in your council home or property from the housing association. Even during the lockdown, if something went wrong, they were required to have it looked at and fixed as quickly as possible. However, if your landlord has ignored your alerts during an emergency situation, it’s important that you seek help through alternative means. After all, your landlord is guilty of negligence and seems to be refusing to help you in your time of need. This is when you may need the help of a solicitor to step in to help you.

If your property is suffering from an emergency due to a housing disrepair, it’s important that you seek swift action against your landlord if they refuse to help. After all, you don’t want to get hurt due to your landlord’s negligence. Your solicitor from Gowing Law Solicitors can help you in your time of need and make sure you get the repairs and compensation that you deserve. All you have to do is get in contact with our Housing Disrepair specialists by phoning 0800 041 8350 or by clicking the button below:

Housing Disrepairs: What do I need to know about them?

Before we jump into what could classified as a housing disrepair emergency, let’s talk about housing disrepairs in general. When you move into a council flat or a property from the housing association, you expect it to be in good condition. This is due to the fact that a landlord in the UK has a “duty of care” towards their tenants. According to the UK Government’s website, your landlord must:

“Keep your rented properties safe and free from health hazards”

Your landlord is bound by health and safety guidelines that they must follow in order to keep any residents in their property safe. This is why if your home does fall into a state of disrepair, you have to speak to your landlord as quickly as possible. Your landlord is also responsible for the following:

As you can see, your landlord is responsible for the majority of your rented property. They own the building and any furniture that they have left inside the building. This includes any security or exterior gardens or balconies. That is why if something breaks or the property suffers from a housing disrepair, they need to get involved as quickly as possible to get it sorted. That way you can continue living in comfort in your home. If you do end up suffering from an emergency housing disrepair, it is up to your landlord to get it sorted as quickly as possible. That way you won’t be put in danger and the property will not become unsuitable to live in.

What is classified as a housing disrepair emergency?

Now that you understand that your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of your home, let’s talk about housing disrepairs in general. Most of the time, your home will suffer from small disrepairs that won’t take long to fix. However, you may be wondering to yourself what could classify as an emergency housing disrepair. If something breaks down and could cause you a serious injury, damage other parts of the house or belongings or makes it impossible for you to live in your home, your landlord should have the repairs sorted before the house ends up getting worse.

Examples of emergency housing disrepairs include:

• Extreme mould and damp
• Infestations
• Holes in the floor or ceiling
• Broken windows or doors
• Faulty essential equipment (i.e. cookers, fridges, toilets, etc.)
• Broken stairs
• Destroyed security (i.e. lock)

These are only a few examples of the type of emergency repairs that you could have experienced. What matters is that your landlord needs to be contacted as soon as possible to ensure that the repair is dealt with. If they ignore your requests for help, this is when you should be thinking about making a housing disrepair claim as with an experienced law firm.

How could I be eligible for a Housing Disrepair Claim?

When your landlord refuses to help you sort out the disrepairs within your council home, it’s essential that you reach out to a solicitor instead. After all, they are the specialist that can give your landlord the push they need to take care of their responsibilities. You deserve to live in a home that’s comfortable for both you and your family.

To be eligible for compensation, you have to fall into one of these three damage categories:

It’s important to understand that you could fall into more than one of these categories. For instance, let’s say that a hole appeared in the upper floor of your house. Not only did that destroy some of your furniture underneath due to the impact, but you fell down and managed to break your leg. This caused a massive disturbance in your normal routine as not only you needed to recover from your injury, you found the room upstairs to be practically inaccessible. This caused an inconvenience to your general daily routine. Think carefully about the disrepairs that you have suffered. The extent of your repairs will affect the amount of compensation you could potentially be owed.

Make sure to speak to your solicitor about the circumstances behind your compensation claim. That way you can get the highest pay-out possible and your repairs sorted as quickly as possible.

How can a solicitor help you with an emergency Housing Disrepair Claim?

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we understand that when our clients have a housing disrepair, it can cause a lot of inconvenience and frustration. It is your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that you are living in a comfortable environment. That’s why an emergency housing disrepair needs to be sorted out as quickly as possible. That way you can feel comfortable and safe once more.

If your landlord has ignored your requests for help, you need to come to a solicitor as quickly as possible. They can speak to your landlord on your behalf and ensure that they are aware that they are acting negligent. The following process can then be followed to ensure that your emergency damages are quickly assessed. This will be by one of our triage reports and rectified by an experienced repair worker:

As stated in our helpful diagram, our solicitors will be working at the same time as your triage assessor. They will ensure that your landlord is held responsible for their negligence. Similarly, they will make sure they are aware that you will be launching a complaint against them. If they refuse to co-operate, there is a chance that your case could be taken to court. However, this is very unlikely and it is more likely that a settlement agreement will be arranged on your behalf.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your Housing Disrepair Claim

When you move forward with your housing disrepair claim, you will need legal support to ensure you get your repairs sorted and your compensation in your pocket. Our legal team can ensure you get free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to go ahead with your case, our solicitors can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. You will only have to pay your solicitors if they win your case for you. Our last housing disrepair claim only took us 6 weeks to settle. So, what’s stopping you from getting in contact today?

Reach out to Gowing Law Solicitors today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to answer all of your questions.

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

If you want to learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims, why not visit our blog to learn more? We update it regularly with brand new content that can help you understand the legal world. This includes information about legal claims, seasonal events, updates about our law firm and the occasional giveaway/competition. You can even suggest topics for our blog by reaching out to our team of specialists. All you have to do is send your ideas to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. One of our writers will then update the blog with answer to your question. You can also follow our social media below to keep an eye on what we have been up to.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog.

By making a Housing Disrepair Claim, you are looking to hold your landlord responsible for the damages in your council home or accommodation from the housing association. Right now, the English Housing Association has stated that there are 76,814 homes in the UK that are at a “non-decent” standard. If your house falls into this category, and your landlord has done nothing to repair the problems, you could be eligible for compensation. Working with an experienced law firm, like Gowing Law Solicitors, can help you get the pay-out that you deserve. The question is- Are you ready to take the first step?

If you are planning on making a Housing Disrepair Claim, it’s crucial that you get the best legal advisor possible to help you move forward. Gowing Law’s expert Housing Disrepair Claim solicitors can prepare you for the assessment of your home and help you understand the claims process. That way you can feel confident and good about getting your repairs sorted in a timely manner.

To find out more about Housing Disrepair Claims, call Gowing Law Solicitors today on 0800 041 8350 or find out more by visiting our website below:

What is my landlord responsible for in my house?

Before you make any type of housing disrepair claim, it’s important to understand why your landlord is responsible for your home is in the first place. As your landlord is the person who owns the property, they will be the one who needs to pay for repairs. You are not responsible for the repairs because you are only renting the accommodation. Instead, you are only responsible for keeping the house in clean condition and in reasonable repair. If anything does break, you need to tell your landlord as quickly as possible to ensure that it is fixed. Your landlord is responsible for the following:

As you can see, what was listed is the majority of the internal and external structures of your property. Of course, it entirely depends on the size of your house, what sort of rooms you have, whether or not you have an outdoor space and what sort of furniture has been left within the property. Either way, if you have noticed a disrepair then it’s up to your landlord to have it fixed. If they fail to do so then they could be guilty of negligence.

How could my landlord be guilty of negligence?

If your have suffered from the negligence of your landlord, it is most likely it is due to the fact that your landlord has delayed the repairs for your claim. Now, it’s important that you give your landlord enough notice to get the repairs sorted them. Try not to be impatient as they may need to come around to your home and assess the damages themselves. They will then need to get a repair worker to come in and try and fix the damages. However, if you have been patient and your landlord has still left your disrepairs to get worse, then they could be guilty of negligence and neglect.

Examples of how your landlord could be guilty of negligence include:

You could be eligible to make a Housing Disrepair Claim if you have found that your landlord has not helped the situation. That’s why it is crucial that you keep evidence that you have tried to correspondence with your landlord about the problems in your home. This includes a copy of the letter you sent and any future correspondence between both of you. That way if your landlord has tried to force you to pay for the disrepairs, or has not fulfilled the obligation of fixing your repairs in a timely manner, you could show that they have tried to push you into something that was not your responsibility to fix.

How can I be eligible for a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Now that you understand that your landlord is responsible for fixing the repairs in your home, it’s crucial that you understand why you could be eligible for compensation. Just like any other personal injury claim or tax claim, the compensation will be provided if you have experienced damages. Similarly, for housing disrepair claims, there are three categories of damages that you could fall into. These include:

Keep in mind that when it comes to these types of categories, you can fall into more than one of them. For instance, let’s say that your bedroom is suffering from a mould problem. You may have ended up sleeping somewhere else to avoid it. This is an example of inconvenience. As you have asthma, the mould may have made it worse and you required additional assistance from the doctor. This is a personal injury. At the same time, the mould in your bedroom spread to your wardrobe and damaged your clothing. This is an example of damage to personal belongings.

When you speak with a solicitor, let them know what exactly has been damaged in your home. This can help them understand the extent of your case and how much compensation you could be potentially owed.

What should I expect if I am going to make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

The first thing you should do with any type of Housing Disrepair Claim is to speak to a solicitor. You will need to provide them your evidence and let them know the specifics of your claim. From there, they can start to organize the triage assessor to look over your house and check out the damages. Keep in mind that your solicitor will also inform your landlord that you intend to make a Housing Disrepair Claim. That way they can repair their own assessor to look into the damages. You should never keep your landlord in the dark about your housing disrepair claim. Instead, give them time to prepare. That way the proper steps can be taken to go through your claim and ensure that an accurate settlement agreement and repair schedule can be sorted.

To get a better idea about what to expect from your visit with Gowing Law’s triage assessor, you will be provided a leaflet that contains all of the essential information about what will happen after the visit. This includes these helpful steps about how we will move forward with your case:

As you can see, our solicitors will be working at the same time as the repair workers and your triage assessor to get you the compensation that you deserve. We understand that it’s equally important that you get a pay-out, as well as your repairs sorted. That’s why we will do our best to monitor the situation and ensure that any problems are taken care of quickly. This includes negotiating the settlement agreement with your landlord and filling out any tricky paperwork. You will always be informed about the latest decisions that are made in relation to your claim. Feel free to ask any questions at any time.

How long will it take to make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Honestly, the length of your claim will depend on the complexity of your case. You can only make a claim if you still live in the residence. So make sure you start your case before you move out. With that said, you will have four years to make your claim from the time your disrepair was discovered. That’s why it’s crucial you speak with a solicitor as soon as possible to get started. The pandemic may also have an affect on your case due to the recent court delays and lockdowns. Your solicitor can give you a timeline of what to expect. However, keep in mind this may change if the circumstances of your case become more complicated.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your Housing Disrepair Claim

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we are determined to help our clients all over the UK with their Housing Disrepair Claims. We know that it can feel frustrating to wait for the repair work to be completed in your home. That’s why we want to make sure that you get the help you need as quickly as possible. Not only can we offer you free advice and consultations, if you decide to work with our team of specialists, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top because you will never have to pay any hidden fees. You will only need to pay our solicitors if they win your case for you.

Phone our law firm today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch. They will ensure that all of your questions are answered. That way you can move forward with your case

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims now

Don’t forget that if you want to learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims, our blog is updated regularly with new content about different legal claims. We also write about seasonal events, updates about our law firm and the occasional competition/giveaway. Feel free to send in suggestions for our blog to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We will always be happy to answer all of your questions in our blog! For more information, make sure to follow our social media below.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog.

Property disrepairs are more common than you may think, especially if you are living in a council house or a property from the housing association. According to the latest English Housing Survey, there are around 76,814 homes that are in a “non-decent” state. That means that the property is not suitable to be lived in by any renter or their family. It can be a tricky situation to negotiate with your landlord, especially if they either ignore you or demand that you fix all of the repairs with your own money. Your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of your home. That’s why they should be the one to organize the repairs and ensure that you are safe and secure in your own home. If they do not do this then they could be guilty of negligence.

When it comes to property disrepairs, or housing disrepairs as they are more commonly known as, it’s important that you reach out to your landlord as quickly as possible to get them sorted. That way if your landlord is guilty of negligence, you can file a housing disrepair claim against them. Having an experienced solicitor on your side can ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. But before you file your claim, it’s important to understand what to do if your home is suffering from disrepairs. That way you may be able to get the disrepairs sorted before they become an issue that affects your health, comfort and overall happiness.

Don’t forget that if you want to know more about Housing Disrepair Claims, call Gowing Law Solicitors on 0800 041 8350 or visit our website below:

What type of Property Disrepairs are there in the home?

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, our main aim is to get you the compensation and justice that you deserve. That way if you need repairs made on your home, you can get them sorted quickly and efficiently. You can only make a housing disrepair claim if you still live in the property, which is why it is crucial that you establish the disrepairs to your landlord as quickly as possible. With that being said, there are many different types of property disrepairs. Some can only be small, such as painting chips or minor cracks in the flooring, however, there are times when the disrepairs can be more severe. Your landlord is responsible for these disrepairs, whether they are big or small. Some examples of these disrepairs can include:

As you can see, your landlord is responsible for quite a lot of your rented accommodation. After all, they own the property. If something goes wrong inside your home, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that it is fixed in a reasonable amount of time. Even during the lockdown, if a problem occurred then your landlord should have had an engineer sent out to assess the damages. Your landlord is responsible for fixing the damages in your home. They cannot turn around and tell you that you are responsible for the damages and their costs. This is because you do not legally own the property. You simply live in it and are renting it from the home owner. That means they need to take responsibility for the repairs. If they refuse then they could be guilty of negligence.

I have noticed some property damage: What should I do?

One of the most essential things you need to know about property disrepairs is that they were not your fault. Whilst your use of the accommodation may have exacerbated the problem, it does not mean that it was your fault. Instead, it may have been essential equipment that has broken down. You couldn’t avoid using this essential equipment. Therefore, it was likely that it was going to break eventually through constant use by yourself and previous residents of the council home.

We understand that property disrepairs can be extremely frustrating, but try to keep as calm as you can. The first thing that you should do is try your best to collect evidence about your disrepairs. Evidence can include:

• Photographs
• Videos/CCTV
• Witness Statements
• Diary Entries
• Medical Records
• Police Records
• Receipts (i.e. for disrepair payments or for replaced belongings)

You should take copies of this evidence and send it to your landlord. Make sure to do this through both written letters and email. That way if your complaints are ignored then you have proof that you tried different mediums to inform your landlord of the disrepairs. Your landlord should then come over to assess the damages for themselves. Prepare your house for them and arrange a time for them to come view the disrepairs. They will then organize the repair work. That way an engineer can come over to have the disrepairs sorted. If all progresses smoothly, your disrepairs can be sorted quickly and you can live in comfort once more.

When should I start considering making a housing disrepair claim?

Property disrepairs can be extremely unsettling, especially if you are trying to keep a regular routine in your home. You may feel embarrassed to show off your home to guests if there are obvious disrepairs that could make visitations uncomfortable. Worse still, the state of the disrepairs may be having an effect on your general quality of life. For instance, if there is mould and damp in your bedroom, that may mean that you can’t sleep in your bed and need to sleep in your living room or in a different house entirely. Although there may be delays in the repair work on your house, sometimes your landlord may completely ignore your disrepairs or try to force you to pay for them yourself.

If your landlord does this then this is an example of negligence. They have ignored their “duty of care” towards you and have pushed the blame onto you. That’s why it’s important that you hold them accountable for your property disrepairs, especially if you live in an old building that may have been created in the 1950’s or 1980’s. If you are thinking about making a housing disrepair claim, you could be eligible for compensation if your damages fall into at least one of these three categories:

Keep in mind that you can fall into several categories, depending on the extent of your damages. Falling back onto our previous example of mould/damp in a bedroom, this could exacerbate breathing problems. That means you could suffer from a personal injury. The mould was in a bedroom and so that stopped you from using the bed and getting a good night’s sleep. This is an example of inconvenience. If the mould has spread to your clothes, bedsheets and furniture coverings, this could be an example of damage to property. So, as you can see, there is a high chance that you could experience several damages that could increase the amount of compensation that you are owed. Speak to your solicitor for more information about your eligibility.

How much compensation could I claim for through property disrepairs?

Housing Disrepairs are unique for every resident. Some people may only experience minor disrepairs, others may have to live in terrible conditions. That’s why it’s essential that a housing disrepair claim is made to ensure that the tenant can have the repairs fixed and that they can get the compensation that they deserve. In our experience, compensation pay-outs tend to be around £1,000-£20,000. However, it depends on how long the negligence has been going on for, your landlord’s reaction and the extent of the damages. It’s essential that you speak to your solicitor about all of the damages in your home. That way they can use this as evidence when they speak to your landlord about a settlement agreement. For a specific estimate of your compensation, speak to your lawyer directly. They can help you figure out how much you could be owed.

How long will it take to make a housing disrepair claim?

If you are suffering from property disrepairs, we would highly recommend that you get in contact with a solicitor as quickly as possible. Once you move out of the property, you will no longer be able to make a claim. That’s why it’s crucial to let your solicitor have the maximum amount of time to get the disrepairs sorted out on your behalf and speak to your landlord. It will take them one day to assess the damages. From there, the time scale will depend on the complexity of your case. For instance, if your landlord refuses to admit their responsibility or ignores a meeting with your solicitor, this could mean it may take longer to have the disrepairs sorted out.

Your lawyer will always keep you updated about where your case is and how it is being handled. Feel free to ask them any questions that may be on your mind.

Gowing Law Solicitors is here to help you with your property disrepairs

Here at Gowing Law, we understand that making any type of housing disrepair claim on your own can be a daunting prospect. We want to ensure that your house’s disrepairs are taken care of. That way you can get on with your life and feel as if you can feel comfortable at home again. That’s why our law firm is here to offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. This means you will never need to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay our solicitors if they win your case. Therefore, you will always come out on top.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today by phoning 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. Our team of specialists will then be in contact. The can help answer any additional questions you may have about making a claim.

Want to learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims?

If you want to learn more about different type of legal claims, the best place to go is Gowing Law’s blog. We update it every week with brand new content for you to enjoy. This includes information about the basics of legal claims, seasonal events, updates about our law firm and the occasional giveaway/competition. Feel free to send in any blog requests to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to write about your questions. You can also follow our social media pages below. Click on the buttons to visit our Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Gowing Law looks forward to seeing you in our next blog!